David Jones to Take on Entrenched Incumbent in Tn House District 26 Race

$6,382

The upcoming election in 2018 marks a critical time for Tennessee state government. Currently, Republicans hold a super-majority in the Tennessee House of Representatives (74 seats out of 99). I do not begrudge Republicans their majority, but a super-majority by any party removes the important necessity of debating competing ideas in a public forum.

We must elect more Democrats and Independents to the state legislature prior to the 2020 national census. That's when required statewide redistricting takes place. Without anything to restrict them, Republicans will likely "gerrymander" the districts again to insure that they remain in power.

The Republican incumbent in District 26, Gerald McCormick, has been in office since 2004. By the next election, in 2018, he will have been in office for fourteen years. That is way too long.

He has become the classic "entrenched" incumbent. An overwhelming majority of his campaign contributions in the last election, in 2016 - when he was unopposed, came from PACs. He now is beholden to special interests rather than representing the citizens and businesses of District 26.

Why elect me?

I offer an extensive background in the Chattanooga small business community. In addition to owning several businesses, I was a commercial lender for many years, helping dozens of small businesses borrow money. I was Chief Financial Officer of a 75-employee manufacturing business from 2002 to 2006. I have an MBA from Louisiana State University-Shreveport.

I have deep roots in Chattanooga and District 26. I was born at Memorial Hospital in 1954. I attended Chattanooga public schools and graduated from Chattanooga High School in 1972. I am a graduate of U.T.C. I have lived in the district most of my life.

I will be new to government, but not new to public service. I am a former board member of the Downtown YMCA, North Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer Community School, Fortwood Mental Health Center, Jobs Plus of Chattanooga, Southeast Community Capital, 28th Legislative District CDC, and the North Chattanooga Neighborhood Association.

I will serve only two terms (four years) - to get us through the next redistricting. I will be "unentrenchable."

How can you help (even if you don't live in District 26)?

You can help immediately by making a financial pledge, endorsing me, or both - elsewhere on this page. You can also help by spreading the word about my campaign and, when the time comes, placing a yard sign on your property. And, of course, if you live in District 26, you can vote for me in 2018.

Show your support for this campaign by endorsing it and sharing why!

Thank you for endorsing this campaign!

Recent endorsements

maura lambert endorsed

“David Jones is the kind of guy who does the right thing. Period. I believe he's willing to do this job because he knows he can make a difference. He's a man of integrity, and most importantly, I know he can work across the aisle. God bless him for going out on a limb for us - we need more people like him to do the same.”

Zachary Cramer endorsed

“His fresh and outward looking view would help Chattanooga grow into a more lively and successful city, for ALL its citizens.”

Shannon B Mowrer endorsed

“David has great ideas about improving our state government and is up on the issues that all of us face. I think he would represent us well.”

Bebbie Wright Minter endorsed

“I have known David nearly thirty years. His mother, Sarah F. Jones, was my principal at Clifton Hills.
I admire David's honesty, his courage to stand up for what he believes to be right, and his tireless work to make a wonderful city great!
His commitment to QUALITY education for every student means more to me than I can express. My forty-six year teaching and counseling career took me from Auburn, Alabama, to Turkey, back to D.C., Maryland, and New Jersey before landing me in Chattanooga. Each step of the way, my students were my purpose.
David's integrity is solid, his ability to learn crucial lessons from mistakes along the way, and his selfless desire to make his neighborhood, his city, his state and his country the best they can be make him the strongest, most committed, and honest candidate I can imagine. I urge you to vote for David Jones.”

Silas M Robertson endorsed

“I Support David Jones because he is a reasonable voice in a divided political climate. I may not agree with him on every issue, but I know him to be an Honorable Choice as your next Representative . . .”

Hubert / Hannah Fowler endorsed

“We believe he represents a change needed in the State Legislature.”

Don Oakes endorsed

“I have known David for a log time, (since Normal Park days) and know him to be a man of integrity. We need people of integrity in government, from all political perspectives.”

sarah elizabeth seepe endorsed

“He is intelligent, progressive, non-judgmental, open minded and has integrity. Have known him since high school and he was a respected and thoughtful leader as far back as then. He has been very active in the community consistently throughout the years.”

Todd Maynor endorsed

“I have known David for a good number of years. He is an honest, decent fellow and a good business man.”

Jeff Henry endorsed

“I support David Jones because our state badly needs thoughtful and honest representation in Nashville.”

Show your support for this campaign by endorsing it and sharing why!

Thank you for endorsing this campaign!

Recent endorsements

maura lambert endorsed

“David Jones is the kind of guy who does the right thing. Period. I believe he's willing to do this job because he knows he can make a difference. He's a man of integrity, and most importantly, I know he can work across the aisle. God bless him for going out on a limb for us - we need more people like him to do the same.”

Brian E Green endorsed

Zachary Cramer endorsed

“His fresh and outward looking view would help Chattanooga grow into a more lively and successful city, for ALL its citizens.”

Shannon B Mowrer endorsed

“David has great ideas about improving our state government and is up on the issues that all of us face. I think he would represent us well.”

Bebbie Wright Minter endorsed

“I have known David nearly thirty years. His mother, Sarah F. Jones, was my principal at Clifton Hills.
I admire David's honesty, his courage to stand up for what he believes to be right, and his tireless work to make a wonderful city great!
His commitment to QUALITY education for every student means more to me than I can express. My forty-six year teaching and counseling career took me from Auburn, Alabama, to Turkey, back to D.C., Maryland, and New Jersey before landing me in Chattanooga. Each step of the way, my students were my purpose.
David's integrity is solid, his ability to learn crucial lessons from mistakes along the way, and his selfless desire to make his neighborhood, his city, his state and his country the best they can be make him the strongest, most committed, and honest candidate I can imagine. I urge you to vote for David Jones.”

Silas M Robertson endorsed

“I Support David Jones because he is a reasonable voice in a divided political climate. I may not agree with him on every issue, but I know him to be an Honorable Choice as your next Representative . . .”

Vernon T Gass endorsed

Hubert / Hannah Fowler endorsed

“We believe he represents a change needed in the State Legislature.”

Don Oakes endorsed

“I have known David for a log time, (since Normal Park days) and know him to be a man of integrity. We need people of integrity in government, from all political perspectives.”

sarah elizabeth seepe endorsed

“He is intelligent, progressive, non-judgmental, open minded and has integrity. Have known him since high school and he was a respected and thoughtful leader as far back as then. He has been very active in the community consistently throughout the years.”

Todd Maynor endorsed

“I have known David for a good number of years. He is an honest, decent fellow and a good business man.”

Jeff Henry endorsed

“I support David Jones because our state badly needs thoughtful and honest representation in Nashville.”